The veteran scout thinks Lin, who signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Rockets after a breakout 2011-12 with the Knicks, could thrive this season, thanks to the addition of Dwight Howard.

"He did have a ton of success when it was all pick-and-rolls and he seemed to be very effective [with the Knicks]," the scout said. "In that way, I think teaming up with Howard should be in his wheelhouse.

"I think they could develop chemistry right away."

Both Howard and Lin have a history of success in the pick-and-roll.

During his rise to prominence with the Knicks, Lin had great success when passing to the roll man in pick-and-rolls.

When going exclusively to the roll man, Lin ranked fifth in points per play out of the 35 point guards who ran the play at least 100 times in '11-12, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

In that same season, Howard was the best pick-and-roll finisher in the NBA. He averaged 1.38 points per play as the roll man on pick-and-rolls, best in the league among players with at least 35 plays.

Houston's offense will run mainly through James Harden and Howard. But as the scout notes, "If the shot clock is running down, you run a pick-and-roll with Lin and Howard, and it should be successful."

Lin struggled with the Rockets last season, averaging 13.4 points and 6.1 assists a game, and battled injuries that forced him to miss two games in Houston's playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But late in the season, Lin seemed to improve his chemistry with Harden.

"I wasn't a fan of Lin at all, but they started to get their groove. Jeremy started to figure out how to play with James a bit," the scout said. "I think they'll definitely be competitive in Houston. I'm not ready to crown them champs or even Western Conference champs, but it increases their chances."

QUESTION: As a Knicks fan, would it bother you if Lin had success in Houston? Or do you not care at all?